Archives for March 2011

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‘A big key to the late-season surge is Miller’s health. He came out of training camp with some nagging hip and groin problems that forced him to sit out games at the beginning of November. “It’s just little things that kind of add up,” Miller said Tuesday morning. “You don’t feel great but every player plays with (small injuries). … It’s just as a goalie you’re not used to certain feelings when you’re out there. At that time of year you want to get a lot of work and I was trying to ease off on the work. It’s tough to find a balance.”‘

‘"It’s nice this time of year to have a little stretch where you’re recognized like that," Miller said after practice Monday in HSBC Arena. "It lines up with the way we’ve been playing as a team, really paying attention to detail and with good emotion in the game. I guess that’s exactly what we need this time of year. A goalie a lot of times can be a difference-maker but is really a reflection of the way the team plays."’

‘"He’s an all-around great defenseman and somebody we’ve relied on in a lot of situations," said Steve Montador, who has spent much of the season as Leopold’s defense parter. "As we’ve gone through injuries before, it just gives somebody an opportunity to fill in the spots where he was so good at. … It can be a good thing for guys to step up."’

‘“I remember that and how the whole crowd was giving him the (derisive) Miller chant,” Reimer, a Manitoba native, said. “You look up to a guy who has had that much success and works that hard. I don’t think anything has been given to him. You admire what he has done. Hopefully I can do that in my career and be as successful as he is.”’

‘Now, the Leafs have to worry about Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who has two shutouts in his past three games and on Monday was named the NHL’s first star of the week. Miller has 24 career wins in 31 decisions against the Leafs.’

‘“Any time you play a division rival it’s a fun game, but now that the playoffs are on the line it makes it even more fun,” said Pominville following his team’s practice Monday at HSBC Arena. “They won a big one last time against us in their building. Their building was rocking and it was a fun place to play in and I’m sure it will be that way again tomorrow. Everybody is excited about the opportunity to push them down.”‘